Barclays to spy on customers

You-kip

http://www.infowars.com/bank-to-spy-on-customers-via-cellphone-location-tracking/

JuicyJesus

Take the above with an extremely large pinch of salt. Infowars is a noted conspiracy theorist site.

The obvious implication of the terms changes is that Barclays will use their app to take down location details of where you make transactions using it. However the site has somehow extrapolated this into "Barclays has a back door into all mobile phone companies" which is patently ludicrous.

dalesrider

But has a fantastic bonus of if you are oversea's. It makes it easier to reduce the number of card blocks.

Hominu

Indeed, I will gladly inform Barclays which cell phone tower I'm connected to if it means better security. If I'm in America and so is my phone, chances are I am as well, so don't block my card! Likewise, if I'm back in the UK and another transaction occurs, be suspicious about it!

TBH, they can already track my location due to where I use my card - you can tell when I'm going on holiday as you see the card used at UK shops, the Airport and then all around the destination, so it's kinda obvious. Maybe this is why they've never blocked my main card?

I do like the paragraph "This suggests that phone companies in Britain must have given Barclays some kind of back door access to people’s private cellphones in order to track their precise location" - it's amusing when an editor hasn't a clue!

You-kip

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Take the above with an extremely large pinch of salt. Infowars is a noted conspiracy theorist site.

The obvious implication of the terms changes is that Barclays will use their app to take down location details of where you make transactions using it. However the site has somehow extrapolated this into "Barclays has a back door into all mobile phone companies" which is patently ludicrous.

Don't shoot the messenger I just copied it.

JuicyJesus

You-kip wrote: »

Don't shoot the messenger I just copied it.

I wouldn't shoot the messenger, however the messenger is demonstrably misguided if he thinks InfoWars is a reliable source for anything

dalesrider

Hominu wrote: »

I do like the paragraph "This suggests that phone companies in Britain must have given Barclays some kind of back door access to people’s private cellphones in order to track their precise location" - it's amusing when an editor hasn't a clue!

And not......

That you agree when you download the app that it can track your location :rotfl:

Never mind the location....

:jWhat about taking pics :j

Permissions

This application has access to the following:

• Your locationprecise location (GPS and network-based)
  Allows the app to get your precise location using the Global Positioning System (GPS) or network location sources such as cell towers and Wi-Fi. These location services must be turned on and available to your device for the app to use them. Apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power.
  approximate location (network-based)
  Allows the app to get your approximate location. This location is derived by location services using network location sources such as cell towers and Wi-Fi. These location services must be turned on and available to your device for the app to use them. Apps may use this to determine approximately where you are.
• Network communicationfull network access
  Allows the app to create network sockets and use custom network protocols. The browser and other applications provide means to send data to the internet, so this permission is not required to send data to the internet.
• Phone callsdirectly call phone numbers
  Allows the app to call phone numbers without your intervention. This may result in unexpected charges or calls. Note that this doesn't allow the app to call emergency numbers. Malicious apps may cost you money by making calls without your confirmation.
  read phone status and identity
  Allows the app to access the phone features of the device. This permission allows the app to determine the phone number and device IDs, whether a call is active, and the remote number connected by a call.
• Storagemodify or delete the contents of your USB storage
  Allows the app to write to the USB storage.
• Your applications informationretrieve running apps
  Allows the app to retrieve information about currently and recently running tasks. This may allow the app to discover information about which applications are used on the device.
• Cameratake pictures and videos
  Allows the app to take pictures and videos with the camera. This permission allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation.
• Your social informationread your contacts
  Allows the app to read data about your contacts stored on your device, including the frequency with which you've called, emailed, or communicated in other ways with specific individuals. This permission allows apps to save your contact data, and malicious apps may share contact data without your knowledge.
  read call log
  Allows the app to read your device's call log, including data about incoming and outgoing calls. This permission allows apps to save your call log data, and malicious apps may share call log data without your knowledge.

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• Network communicationview network connections
  Allows the app to view information about network connections such as which networks exist and are connected.
• System toolstest access to protected storage
  Allows the app to test a permission for USB storage that will be available on future devices.

Uxb

Within the last year I was part of a trial with a credit card firm I have a card with in conjunction with my mobile providing company.
This was to track my movements when I moved from country to country
The credit card firm did indeed receive a data stream from the mobile company.
I have no idea how specific the data was - ie at one extreme was it only recording that I was in country X rather than Y or at the other did the data stream more accurately report my position within the country (or rather my mobile's position).

I was not required to download or use any additional app or other program/software on the the phone and my phone does not and did not have any mobile credit card app whatever already installed/used.

Gromitt

dalesrider wrote: »

:jWhat about taking pics :j

Thats for fraud protection. Every so often they take a picture of the user using the front mounted camera and ensure it's the card holder. If it is, they can rely on the phone location being where the user says he is, otherwise the phone could be stolen so the cards and phone are automatically locked using the appropriate back doors.

So once you install the app, never attach your phone to your pet dog, cat or alligator - your bank accounts may be at risk! (or not)